Chapter 23
“My lady said she’d test me on a few things first, and then take me on as a personal maid. I believe that test—”
“You must’ve passed. Just look at the pearls you’re wearing—she must really plan to treasure you.”
“Mistress… honestly, it’s frightening. How can everything go exactly the way you said it would?”
I answered Malea’s question with only a smile and took a seat at the tea table. The tea and treats she had set out looked quite appetizing.
“This Founding Festival, you’ll be attending the Empress’s salon exhibition in place of my mother. I’ll give you a list in advance of artworks that are going to skyrocket in value—buy those pieces.”
The Empress’s salon exhibition during the Founding Festival. Just like in my previous life, Mother would have received a handwritten invitation from the Empress.
She went in person last time, but she wouldn’t be able to this time, so knowing her, she’d definitely send someone with good taste—like Malea.
It was far too prestigious a place for a personal maid to attend, but anyone who received a personal invitation from the Empress was allowed to send a proxy of any status.
Most would send a steward or a more respectable attendant to preserve the Empress’s dignity, but Mother—greedy as she was to increase her dowry—wouldn’t bother with such considerations.
As I finished speaking, I took a bite of a scone. A sip of tea followed, filling my mouth with its excellent aroma.
“This is insane!”
But Malea’s outburst disrupted my enjoyment.
“How could I possibly attend the salon in my lady’s place? She’s been looking forward to it for so long!”
“She’s under house arrest. She won’t be going.”
“But the moment young master returns today, her confinement is supposed to be lifted! There’s no way she’d miss the salon!”
“She won’t be getting released today.”
I answered calmly and pulled a fine sheet of paper from the table. I began writing a list of artworks with a fountain pen.
These were the pieces that would shoot up in value within a few days.
They were the works Mother had deeply regretted not purchasing after attending the salon exhibition in our previous life.
‘Right after the salon, she mocked the artist’s style as vulgar and bizarre, and then once the prices skyrocketed, she flipped her opinion so fast it gave me whiplash.’
“How can you be so certain? It just doesn’t make sen—”
“Do you really think the head maid and the housekeeper would let it go after the humiliation I gave them? With their pride and tempers?”
Having finished writing, I set the fountain pen down and cut off Malea’s protest.
“What?”
“They’ll surely rush to beg Fernan to release Mother the moment he returns. And Fernan’s reaction is obvious.”
That plea would be the worst move they could make. Today was the first day of the Founding Festival, and because of my supposed illness, Fernan wouldn’t be able to parade me around. He’d be simmering with resentment toward Mother again.
Fernan had a long memory and a tendency to lash out repeatedly over past slights.
‘He’ll get angry seeing them defend her. He’ll think Mother’s people are daring to defy the household’s future heir.’
And so, Mother would be confined again—for the entire festival.
On top of that, she might even lose another of her household rights. Like financial management.
I knew them best. As much as she tried to earn their love, I understood how they acted. Fernan was completely predictable.
“You, miss…”
Malea’s face was filled with dread. I calmly looked her in the eye and took another sip of tea.
“Now that you’re a personal maid, I suppose you’re finally worth threatening.”
With that, I crossed my legs, making sure the burn scar on my leg was clearly visible to her.
Her face went pale, and she clutched her hands together. Since Fernan was returning today, it would serve as effective pressure.
“You wouldn’t be naïve enough to think this threat is a one-time thing, would you? My scar is permanent—so wouldn’t it be silly if I only used you once?”
“Y-you’re right. I’ll obey any order, no matter how many you give me. Please, command me, miss.”
Of course, the scar wasn’t permanent—in fact, in a month, my skin would be even smoother than before.
But that didn’t matter. I was fully prepared to inflict minor burns on myself monthly and apply Vesuvio redwood extract if it meant keeping this girl in perfect submission.
I set down my teacup and met Malea’s gaze.
“During the entire Founding Festival, I’m to be suffering from severe consumption.”
“What?”
“No one—neither my brother nor anyone else in this mansion—is allowed into my room during the festival. Not even you.”
“Yes, of course. Don’t worry, miss.”
Instead of questioning why I gave such an order, Malea bowed respectfully and replied right away.
‘Well. She probably prefers that no one enters my room anyway.’
She knew that if the scar were exposed, her life could be forfeit.
“You’ve been locked in a dungeon, so of course you’re suffering from severe consumption. Even now, your cough is terrible.”
I had never once coughed, but Malea lied shamelessly, as if to demonstrate how good she was at making things up.
‘She really is the most convenient to use.’
Quick-witted and sly—she always understood what I meant without needing much explanation.
Officially, I’d be bedridden with consumption for the entire festival. But in truth, I planned to sneak in and out of the estate through the secret passage.
All to dig another trap that would lead to my family’s downfall.
“Straighten your back, Malea. Aren’t you supposed to be serving me my meal?”
Malea immediately straightened up and began tending to me.
She carefully sliced the bacon to suit my taste.
“How has the atmosphere in the mansion been while I was asleep?”
“It seems something went terribly wrong with Master’s business. His partners come bearing bad news every day. He’s stuck at the palace, unreachable, and the mistress is still confined… so we’re the only ones suffering.”
Just as I thought.
‘She neatly summarizes only the information I want to hear. That’s useful.’
But someone so clever couldn’t be trusted blindly. I chewed a piece of buttered bread, thinking about how I’d best use Malea.
“Then Mrs. Becker must be busy too?”
“Well… yes. The mistress’s confinement came so suddenly. She already had a lot on her plate, and now she’s stuck doing all the little tasks the mistress used to handle. I overheard her grumbling that she hasn’t had a moment to rest in her room.”
“Then it’s the perfect time to steal something from her room.”
Seeing Malea’s flustered expression, I calmly put a warm bite of scrambled egg in my mouth.
There’s a rule I learned while living among beggars: always have the cleverest person do the stealing.
Not just because they steal cleanly. It’s also because the sly ones are always looking for a chance to betray you—so it’s best to hold their weakness from the start.
“Steal the most expensive dress from Mrs. Becker’s room.”
I already had the scar as leverage, but I wasn’t going to rely on that alone.
Once she committed this kind of act, Malea wouldn’t be able to cozy up to Mrs. Becker anymore.
The Founding Festival was dazzling from day one. Orange lights adorned the bridges over the river, and a festive parade filled the streets with noise.
Watching the scene outside his window, the owner of Wolfgang’s Pawnshop cheerfully knocked on his full safe with pride.
‘There’s no other pawnshop in the area as well-stocked with cash as we are. No way I’m missing out on this chance.’
People tend to part with their precious items for a pittance when faced with music, alcohol, and exciting wagers.
Just then, the chime bell rang and the door opened. In walked a pale-skinned girl, her cloak’s hood pulled deep over her head.
“Welcome!”
Wolfgang was far better at appraising people than jewels. One look at their outfit, and he could tell who he was dealing with.
A crisp two-piece outfit—a white lantern-sleeved blouse and a dark green skirt. Over that, a fine brown cloak.
‘Hmm. Just by her clothes, she looks like a gentry’s daughter.’
All her garments were expensive, yet to Wolfgang’s eye, she somehow looked too good for them—as if they were beneath her.
‘Eh, who cares? What matters is she’s here. Means she needs quick cash, right?’
And the fact that her hood was pulled low meant she didn’t want anyone to recognize her here.
The idea that she might be Count Albrecht’s daughter never even crossed his mind. Wolfgang’s eyes sparkled, thinking she’d be an easy mark.
‘An innocent girl who knows nothing of the world—my luck’s good today.’
While he licked his lips at the thought of fleecing her, the girl stepped up to the counter. She placed two gemstones on the display case.
“Appraise these for me.”
